European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos did not give a specific date for when Kosovo could join the European Union; however, she stressed that the more successful Kosovo is in reforms and in the Kosovo–Serbia dialogue, the greater the chances of opening negotiations.
Speaking at a press conference after her meeting with acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Kos called on political actors to establish stable and functional institutions.
The Enlargement Commissioner emphasized that Kosovo and the EU share a common destiny and that a Europe without Kosovo cannot be imagined.
“The more successful Kosovo is in implementing reforms, the more successful it is in the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue, the greater the chances are for negotiations to begin. Therefore, this is the political part. As you know, the accession process has a technical negotiation component, while the other part is linked to political dynamics in member states. And my call to action for every candidate country is to also engage with member states, and then this can happen. Therefore, I cannot give you a specific year, but I am 100% sure and will work tirelessly toward the goal of bringing Kosovo ever closer to the European Union,” Kos said.
She also reiterated that there can be no security in Europe without Kosovo and that the country is an integral part of a broader perspective.
The European Commissioner for Enlargement also addressed the government, calling on political leaders in Kosovo to restore stability in public administration.
“This visit is to ask the political class to restore stability in public administration in Kosovo, and it would be good for you to form stable and functional institutions. As you can see, in Brussels 2026 is a year that should open opportunities for Kosovo. I have promised Kurti that once all institutions are functional after the elections, I will return and then we will discuss further important topics for Kosovo and also for the EU. It is important that after the new Assembly is formed, leadership unites and results in the formation of governing institutions, and that this political deadlock is ended. Many reforms have stagnated due to repeated elections, and Kosovo needs to catch up with the EU on the outlined priorities,” she said.
The European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, also met today with the acting president, Albulena Haxhiu.
Friday’s visit to Kosovo is her first since taking office in 2024. Her agenda does not include visits to other countries in the region before or after her stay in Pristina.
Kos had planned a visit to Kosovo on March 12, but it was canceled due to political developments at the time—President Vjosa Osmani had issued a decree dissolving the Assembly on March 6, as the state body had failed to elect its speaker a day earlier, which was the deadline.
This visit comes roughly three weeks before new elections scheduled in Kosovo on June 7.
